RobertJ.Donovan

Robert J. Donovan 1927-2013 BECLHERTOWN - Robert J. Donovan, 85, of N. Washington St. died on February 12, 2013. Born November 5, 1927 in Springfield, MA, he was the son of Bertha E. (Chamberlain) and David F. Donovan. He was a graduate of Monson Academy and St. Michael's College in Winooski Park, VT. He continued his education at Springfield College where he received his M.A. in Guidance and Psychology. Bob began his career as a special education teacher at the Belchertown State School and then went on to a position as Guidance Director and School Psychologist at Ware High School. He then returned to the State School as an Assistant Superintendent and after that as a member of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Regional Review Board for Mental Health Services. During this time he was also an Adjunct Professor of Guidance and Psychology at many area colleges including STCC, Springfield College and Westfield State College. After retirement he was a Consulting School Psychologist at Franklin County Technical School and then went into private practice helping clients with weight and smoking problems. Bob served valiantly in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded two bronze stars and the United Nations Medal for Service. For the rest of his life, however, he suffered from the effects of the extreme cold in Korea. He was a private pilot and loved to fly. Bob was an avid sports fan, and particularly enjoyed baseball and was a pitcher on the St. Michael's College baseball team. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 55 years, Anna E. (Antonovitch), along with his children Maureen A. Donovan of New Salem, MA, Elizabeth A. Mole and husband Anthony of Ludlow, Robert J. Donovan, Jr., a U.S. diplomat assigned to Germany, and grandson Jeffrey R. Lamb, a student at Westfield State University. He also leaves a brother William Donovan and wife Kathleen of Monson, and sister Lillian Duquette and husband Laurent of York Harbor, ME along with other beloved family members Larry, Debbi, Lyndsay and David Smith of Belchertown; Dr. Susan Lee of New York City, and Dr. Colonel Edward B. Lucci of Clarksville, MD. He also leaves seven loving nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, February 15 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Beers & Story Belchertown Funeral Home, 10 Maple St, (Rte. 202). Saturday, friends and family may gather at 9:15 at the funeral home to process to St. Francis Church for a 10:00 a.m. Funeral Mass followed by burial in South Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wing Memorial Hospital ICU Department, 40 Wright St., Palmer, MA 01069 or Belchertown EMS Association, P.O. Box 442, Belchertown, MA 01007. Both the ICU and EMS were especially kind and caring to Bob during his time of need. For details visit: www.beersandstory.com